The much-anticipated governorship election in Edo State, the heartbeat of Nigeria, finally held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 across the state’s 192 wards scattered across 18 local government areas.
Across many polling units, accreditation and voting started early with the early arrival of electoral officers and materials. However, there were delays in some polling units, which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend voting time in areas where the process started late.
Edo voters came out in their numbers across many polling units. Not even the widespread rains could dampen the enthusiasm of the people to exercise their franchise to elect a new governor who would administer their affairs for the next four years.
The aged and infirm were not left out, as they turned up with enthusiasm and endured the process and weather to cast their votes.
Security agents were deployed early in most polling units across the state and some voters said the security presence gave them added assurance to come out and cast their ballots without fear.
Perhaps because of the heavy presence of security agents, the election was largely peaceful, with no major reports of violence. However, there were reports of vote buying in some areas. For instance, no fewer than nine suspects were arrested by police on suspicions of vote buying, thuggery and impersonation, among others.
In some polling units, however, low voter turnout was reported. In some areas, the rains also delayed the arrival of electoral officers and materials to polling locations.
Overall, the process was largely orderly. There were no reported cases of loss of lives.
However, as voting was concluded and proceedings went into vote counting, some doubts and misgivings were expressed about presentations and adherence to rules.
For instance, some election observers, including Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa, raised concerns about INEC’s transparency in the process.
In a statement, the groups said, “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process. We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.
“In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.”
INEC had also said on Saturday that its attention was drawn to an allegation of wrong figures entered into polling unit result sheets and said it would prosecute individuals involved in that illegality.
It is our sincere hope that all the concerns raised would be looked into and promptly addressed in the interest of democracy.
